Dempsey, Noel

Tuesday, 13 May 2003

Dáil Eireann Debate
Vol. 566 No. 3

Page of 255

Written Answers. - Third Level Fees.

Was asked: if the review of free third level fees has been completed; the recommendations of the review group; if he intends to introduce fees for the 2003-4 college year; and if he will make a statement on the ...

Was asked: if, in view of the review of third level fees, he will consider the abolition of fees for part-time students; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 234 and 256 together.

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Was asked: the timeframe he envisages for the building of a new sports hall for a school (details supplied) in Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if his attention has been drawn to the school's need for an additional clas...

Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the health and safety concerns at a school (details supplied) in Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if his Department has compiled a report on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together. The proposed refurbishment-extension project at the school referred to by the Deputy is listed in section 7 of the 2003 school building programme...

Was asked: if he has a timetable in mind for the re-starting of the programme to build sports halls and facilities at schools; and the order in which he will tackle schools where there is a pressing need for suc...

The programme of activity for 2004 will be determined once the budgetary process has concluded, taking into account contractual commitments on projects already approved. It is my intention to publish ...

Was asked: when he expects to be in a position to announce the building of a sports facility for Firhouse Community College and allocate the funding from his Department and the young persons' facilities and serv...

Architectural planning for a 1607 sq. m., multi-purpose sports hall attached to Firhouse Community College is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, pre-tender stage. However, given the level...

Was asked: if he will rank, in order of priority, the schools that will have works done to them in the forthcoming year in the postal areas of Dublin 24, Dublin 6W and Dublin 12.

The programme of activity for 2004 will be determined once the budgetary process has concluded, taking into account contractual commitments on projects already approved. It is my intention to publish ...

Was asked: the number of schools to date which have been built or refurbished under public private partnerships; and the target he has set for further such projects in the year ahead.

The contract for the provision of a bundle of five post-primary schools was signed in November 2001 with Jarvis Projects Limited. The schools are Maria Immaculata Community College, Dunmanway, County ...

Was asked: if he has considered, under the public-private partnership scheme for school buildings, that these projects be designed, built and operated by the private promoter as has occurred in the United Kingdo...

My Department has entered into two public private partnership projects to date. Both of these PPP projects have been procured on a design, build, finance and operator basis on a 25-year contract. The ...

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Was asked: the criteria behind the allocation of resource teaching hours in circular 08/02 which allocates resource teaching hours to children with special learning disabilities or dyslexia who are at or below t...

My Department considered an application for resource teaching support for the pupil referred to by the Deputy. Resource teaching was not approved since the child is not eligible under Circular 08/02. ...

Was asked: the reason a person (details supplied) in County Meath receives so little remedial learning support in terms of one hour per week despite the fact that this person is due to enter secondary school in ...

The school where the pupil in question attends has the services of a shared learning support teacher. It is a matter for the school principal, together with the learning support teacher, to allocate a...

Written Answers. - Staff Screening.

Was asked: the requirements in place by his Department to ensure that persons under the aegis of his Department working with, or transporting children or persons with a disability, have been screened and have Ga...

Employment of school staff is primarily a matter for the boards of management of schools who have a statutory responsibility in this regard. School authorities have a duty of care to their pupils and ...

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Was asked: if there is an education plan or an IEP for persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, both of whom attend the O'Neill Centre, Kilkenny; if an independent assessment can be arranged for each perso...

It is open to the parents of the children in question to contact the national educational psychological service at Frederick Court, 24-27 North Frederick Street, Dublin 1, telephone 01 8892700, concer...

Written Answers. - School Accommodation.

Was asked: his plans to enable St. Andrew's national school in Lucan to adequately cater for its catchment area in view of his Department's refusal to provide aid for severely needed mainstream temporary accommo...

Was asked: when it is likely that his Department will provide funding for temporary accommodation at St. Andrew's national school in Lucan in view of the extremely overcrowded conditions that currently exist at ...

Was asked: when it is likely that his Department will provide funding for refurbishment works at St. Andrew's national school in Lucan in view of the bad conditions that currently exist at the school and the fac...

I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 to 248, inclusive, together. I can confirm that St. Andrew's national school, Lucan has applied to my Department for temporary accommodation. The 2003 building pro...

Written Answers. - Schools Refurbishment.

Was asked: the position regarding the provision of an extra bathroom for Fenit primary school, Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I take it the Deputy is referring to St. Brendan's national school, Fenit, Tralee, County Kerry. The management authorities at this school applied to my Department for grant-aid towards the provision ...

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Was asked: the progress in relation to urgent repairs regarding the general condition of the school at Robertstown, Naas, County Kildare; when same will be attended to; the steps he will take to accelerate the p...

The proposed large-scale building project for Robertstown, Naas, County Kildare is listed in section 6 of the 2003 school building programme which I published on my Department's website. This proposed...

Written Answers. - School Accommodation.

Was asked: if his Department is applying pressure to the board of management of St. Mark's junior school, Tallaght, to take back the two prefabs that are currently being used by two pre-school groups, the Happy ...

My Department will make a full assessment of the accommodation currently available at St. Mark's junior school in the event of additional accommodation being required at the school.

Written Answers. - Disadvantaged Status.

Was asked: his plans to implement the extra payments recommendations in respect of teachers working in disadvantaged areas contained in the report submitted to him by the committee on educational disadvantage; i...

An Agreed Programme for Government sets out a commitment to implement changes to retention and support policies, which will assist schools in areas of significant disadvantage to recruit and retain te...

Written Answers. - Higher Education Access Programmes.

Was asked: if funding will again be provided in 2003 for the Trinity access programme; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of such a programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Was asked: if his Department will continue to fund the Trinity access programme foundation for young adults, which offers teenagers from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds access to third level degree prog...

Was asked: if funding for the access programme foundation course for young adults is to be ceased; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this course offers teenagers from socio-economic disadvantaged ...

Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the foundation course, which is part of the Trinity programme, to fund access to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, is under threat of closure; a...

Was asked: if he will make a statement addressing the concerns of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4; and his Department's plans regarding this course over the forthcoming years.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 255, 269, 274 and 277 together. The Higher Education Authority has for a number of years provided dedicated funding to the universities and other Higher Education...

Written Answers. - Third Level Participation.

Was asked: his plans to respond to reports that Dublin has one of the lowest levels of participation in third level education of any EU capital city; if his attention has been drawn to the interest in such an is...

I am aware of the report by Professor Pat Clancy on his fourth national survey of access to higher education which found that Dublin, by comparison with other counties, had a low level of participatio...

Written Answers. - Schools Refurbishment.

Was asked: the status of the extension to Elphin Community School, County Roscommon; if he has satisfied himself that the existing school meets with current health and safety standards; the liability to his Depa...

The proposed extension at Elphin Community College is at an early stage of architectural planning, pre-planning permission. It is listed in section 7 of the capital programme for 2003 which is publish...

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be allocated a resource teacher as determined in psychological reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be allocated a school assistant as determined in reports by their psychologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 262 together. The school authorities were notified on 29 April 2003 that resources would not be put in place for the person to whom the Deputy refers. My Depar...

Written Answers. - Schools Recognition.

Was asked: if, in view of the clear need in the Wicklow area, he will proceed to give temporary recognition to the application by Wicklow Educate Together; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Based on the recommendations of the commission on school accommodation, I have put in place a revised application procedure for new national schools seeking official recognition. The revised procedure...

Written Answers. - Teaching Qualifications.

Was asked: if, in view of exceptional circumstances, a person (details supplied) in County Sligo is qualified for the position of a PWT teaching post in mathematics-computers in the education unit at Castlerea P...

It is a matter for the vocational education committee concerned, as employer, to determine the overall suitability of an applicant for appointment to a permanent teaching post. All committees has been...

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Was asked: the criteria his Department has in regard to children diagnosed with ADD and the provision of resource teaching or special needs assistants in primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the m...

The special educational needs of children with ADD can be addressed in special dedicated schools, in special dedicated classes attached to ordinary schools, or on an integrated basis in ordinary schoo...

Written Answers. - School Accommodation.

Was asked: if temporary accommodation will be provided at Drumclough national school, Listowel, County Kerry, which has been approved by the local inspector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The 2003 school building programme was recently published and on the basis of the budgetary allocation it was not possible to make provision for any further projects in 2003. The budgetary allocation ...

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Was asked: if a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can remain for a further year at Scoil Aodh Rua agus Nuala national school in Donegal Town, in view of the sound educational and care considerations in...

Special schools and special classes funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from four years of age until the end of the school year ...

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Was asked: if he will direct the relevant officers in the planning section of his Department to commence negotiations with Fingal County Council regarding the local site designated for education in order that th...

Was asked: the way in which he intends to deal with the lack of space at Donabate Portrane Educate Together national school; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that part of the school is currently opera...

I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 282 together. The position is that Donabate-Portrane Educate Together national school was granted provisional recognition in September 2002. The school authori...

Written Answers. - Departmental Correspondence.

Was asked: if he will furnish a response further to correspondence (details supplied) on the designation of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

My Department is continuing to liaise with the service providers for the facility in question concerning the issue raised by the Deputy. It is hoped that the matter will be concluded at an early date.

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Was asked: the number of children who have had home tuition withdrawn following the recent review of home tuition cases in the special education section; the reason for such withdrawal; and if he will make a sta...

The home tuition scheme is intended to cater for pupils who are unable to attend school on a regular basis because of a grave medical ailment. It may also be provided to pupils who are awaiting an app...

Written Answers. - University Budgets.

Was asked: if he will change the system whereby universities under the financial control of the Higher Education Authority are not informed of their budget until several months into the financial year, which cau...

The Abridged Estimates for 2003 were published by the Department of Finance on 14 November 2002. On 3 February 2003, my Department formally advised the Higher Education Authority of the allocation of ...

Written Answers. - School Flooding.

Was asked: if he will investigate the major flooding problem at St. Fiachra's primary school, Beaumont, Dublin 9, and act immediately with Dublin City Council to improve the health and safety of the pupils in th...

The question of flooding is a matter for the board of management in the first instance. My Department, however, has no record of any application for grant aid relating to flooding in St. Fiachra's pri...

Written Answers. - School Accommodation.

Was asked: if a project (details supplied) in County Kildare has been approved by the school advisory board of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Based on the recommendations of the Commission on School Accommodation, I have put in place a revised application procedure for new national schools seeking official recognition. The revised procedure...

Written Answers. - Health and Safety Report.

Was asked: his Department's views on the Health and Safety Authority report on Scoil Mhuire Fatima, Dublin Road, Drogheda, dated 3 April 2003, with particular reference to items 1-9; and if his Department will r...

Individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care. The 2003 school building programme has now been publishe...

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Was asked: if funding will be made available for an extension to the Ennis national school, County Clare, to cater for the 700 pupils in a school with nine pre-fabricated buildings, two of which are in a very ba...

The 2003 school building programme was published in January and on the basis of the budgetary allocation it was not possible to make provision for any further projects in 2003. The budgetary allocatio...

Was asked: the position regarding the community college, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, that was promised an extension and refurbishment in 2002; the stage the project is at; and if he will make a statement on ...

The proposed extension project at Castleblayney College is awaiting the appointment of a design team to commence the architectural planning process. However, in view of the scale of the capital progra...

Written Answers. - School Closures.

Was asked: the reasons for the decision to close St. Brigid's Convent, Goresbridge, County Kilkenny; if he will review this decision immediately in view of the educational requirements of 129 second level studen...

The future of St. Brigid's secondary school, Goresbridge, has been under review for some time. The school was owned and run by the Brigidine Order as a girls boarding school until 1978. At that time, ...

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Was asked: if the proposal for a common catchment area can now be implemented in order that the children from the Dunbeacon-Goleen area attending Schull community college in west Cork can be given their legal an...

The pupils to whom the Deputy refers live in the Bantry catchment area, and are fully eligible for transport to this post-primary centre only. Alternatively, the pupils may avail of catchment boundary...

Written Answers. - School Accommodation.

Was asked: if he has sanctioned the provision of grant aid towards the rental cost of temporary accommodation for Sallins national school, Sallins, County Kildare; if same will be in place for the opening of the...

A letter issued recently from the planning and building unit of my Department approving grant aid towards the rental of temporary accommodation to cater for increased enrolments in September 2003. It ...

Was asked: if he has sanctioned County Kildare VEC's application for temporary accommodation for Maynooth post primary school, Maynooth, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The chief executive officer of County Kildare VEC has submitted an application for temporary accommodation at Maynooth post primary school, County Kildare. Officials in the planning and building unit ...

Written Answers. - Schools Building Projects.

Was asked: when he expects progress to be made on Ballinamere national school, Tullamore, County Offaly; when it is expected to pass the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I take it the Deputy is referring to Ballykilmurry national school, Tullamore, County Offaly, Roll No. 15656. The proposed large-scale building project for Ballykilmurry national school, Tullamore, Co...

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Was asked: when a special needs assistant will be available to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick.

My Department's inspectorate has prepared a report concerning the special educational care needs of the pupil referred to by the Deputy. This report is currently being considered and a decision will b...